2026-244Latest orbital launch: Falcon 9 · Starlink Group 15-16 · Oct 27, 2026 · VandenbergLaunch record →
sci-techmaventhe history of spaceflight, in data
  1. Home
  2. Launches
  3. 1977
  4. 1977-105
// orbital launch

Molniya-3 No. 18

Molniya 8K78M launch from Plesetsk (Soviet Union) on October 28, 1977, carrying 1 payload. GCAT records the launch as a success.

October 28, 1977 · 01:37 UTCLaunch 1977-105Launch no. 2,018 in the log
RocketMolniya 8K78Mvariant ML
SpaceportPlesetskpad LC43/3
OutcomeSuccess
Launch agencyRVSNSoviet Union

Flight

Date and time (UTC)
October 28, 1977, 01:37
Launch designation
1977-105
Mission
Molniya-3 No. 18
Flight name
Molniya-3
Vehicle flight ID
77052 -606

Orbit and payload

Initial apogee
40,840 km
Payload mass to orbit
2.1 t
Payloads
1
GCAT launch code
OS

Payloads

PayloadDesignationOwnerMission typeMassFate
Molniya-31977-105ANORAD 10455NPO Applied MechanicsCommunications1,750 kgIn orbit

Source: GCAT launch list and payload catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0). Orbit values are the initial orbit reported for the launch.